Is Everyone in the Room?

Episode 23 - Is DEI dead? Rationale For and Against

Diversify.no Episode 23

Our 'Is Everyone in the Room?' podcast is a global platform dedicated to fostering open conversations and learning around equity, and inclusion in workplaces and communities worldwide. 

Since 2020, these monthly sessions have brought together professionals, leaders, and advocates from across the globe to explore best practices, share personal experiences, and discuss actionable strategies for creating more inclusive environments. These sessions serve as a space for collective growth, critical reflection, and meaningful dialogue in society. 

We are beginning 2025 with a topic that is more relevant than ever: Is DEI Dead? Rationale For and Against 

As organizations across industries grapple with changing societal expectations, economic pressures, and political polarization, the relevance and future of DEI initiatives are under scrutiny on a global scale. In this climate of increasing pushback against DEI initiatives, from budget cuts to critiques of their effectiveness, the question looms large: is DEI as a framework for change still relevant? 

Critics argue that DEI has become a checkbox exercise, stripped of its transformative potential, while advocates contend that it’s more critical than ever as organizations navigate systemic inequities and social tensions. 

This month, we confront the hard truths and polarizing opinions around DEI: 

✔ Is DEI failing, or are we failing DEI? 

✔ How do organizations strike a balance between accountability and impact? 

✔ What does the future of workplace equity look like in the face of resistance and fatigue? 

This session is designed to provoke thought, spark dialogue, and inspire action. 

Join our speakers Chisom Udeze and Dr. Poornima Luthra as they tackle these critical issues head-on, offering space for constructive debate and shared learning.